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Jack Kruschen, Veteran TV and Movie Actor, 80

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DGH

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May 23, 2002, 7:44:42 PM5/23/02
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.

Jack Kruschen, a versatile character actor whose six decades in movies
and television included an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor
for his 1960 role in "The Apartment," died on April 2. 2002, at the age
of 80, following a long illness. News of his death, which was reported
by the show business publication Variety, did not appear in major
newspapers at the time.

Known to many television viewers as Papa Papadapolis in the 1980's
series "Webster," he was one of the stalwarts of radio, television and
the movies, often playing tough guys early in his career and irascible
but lovable neighbors later on.

Jack Kruschen was born in Winnipeg, Canada, on March 20, 1922. He was
discovered by CBS while acting in a student operetta production at
Hollywood High School. His first job was on a Christmas radio special.

After working for the Armed Forces Radio Service during World War II, he
returned to network radio, doing voice characterizations for "The Danny
Thomas Show," "Dragnet," "Sam Spade," "Gunsmoke" and other popular shows
of the late 1940's and early 50's.

Mr. Kruschen appeared on television almost from its inception,
portraying cowboys, detectives or criminals in programs like "The
Adventures of Superman," "Zorro," "Bonanza," "The Rifleman" and "Wanted:
Dead or Alive." He assumed similar roles in many of his 75 films,
playing a Southern bigot in "Cape Fear" (1962) and a gangster in Elvis
Presley's "Follow That Dream" (1962).

He was nearly ubiquitous in television in the 1970's and 1980's,
appearing in episodes of many medical dramas, police shows and situation
comedies, often returning to the same programs in several different
roles.

It was his role as Dr. Dreyfuss, the bemused and benevolent neighbor of
Jack Lemmon who saves a suicidal Shirley MacLaine in "The Apartment,"
that presaged his success as the warm patriarch on "Webster" (1985 to
1987). In 1994 he played another Greek grandfather — one who dies while
visiting the sitcom family — in an episode of "Full House." His final
role was in the 1997 film "'Til There Was You."

Corby Gilmore

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May 24, 2002, 2:53:18 AM5/24/02
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DGH (peri...@eudoramail.com) writes:
> .
>
> Jack Kruschen, a versatile character actor whose six decades in movies
> and television included an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor
> for his 1960 role in "The Apartment," died on April 2. 2002, at the age
> of 80, following a long illness. News of his death, which was reported
> by the show business publication Variety, did not appear in major
> newspapers at the time.
>
> Mr. Kruschen appeared on television almost from its inception,
> portraying cowboys, detectives or criminals in programs like "The
> Adventures of Superman," "Zorro," "Bonanza," "The Rifleman" and "Wanted:
> Dead or Alive." He assumed similar roles in many of his 75 films,
> playing a Southern bigot in "Cape Fear" (1962) and a gangster in Elvis
> Presley's "Follow That Dream" (1962).

Definately a lock, in my opinion.
--
Corby Gilmore
ai...@freenet.carleton.ca

Brad Ferguson

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May 25, 2002, 12:08:59 AM5/25/02
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In article <acko0u$kuc$1...@freenet9.carleton.ca>, Corby Gilmore
<ai...@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote:


I wish, but there have been some amazing lapses in the judgment of
whoever does this segment. Jack Kruschen died early in the cycle. I'd
say that makes him a "possible."

lynn

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May 25, 2002, 9:04:33 AM5/25/02
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On Sat, 25 May 2002 00:08:59 -0400, Brad Ferguson
<thir...@frXOXed.net> wrote:


>I wish, but there have been some amazing lapses in the judgment of
>whoever does this segment. Jack Kruschen died early in the cycle. I'd
>say that makes him a "possible."


i like the idea of this list. we'll have who will be nominated, who
should be nominated, and who probably won't. either way, their names
names will be remembered.

jamison

Terrymelin

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May 26, 2002, 5:56:22 PM5/26/02
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I think we should put a list together each year -- by the end of December and
then send a letter en masse to the Academy indicating our choices.

Terry Ellsworth

MadCow57

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May 26, 2002, 11:01:38 PM5/26/02
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>>I think we should put a list together each year -- by the end of December and
then send a letter en masse to the Academy indicating our choices.<< -- Terry
Ellsworth

I predict that their reply will contain the words "rat's ass."


Matthew Hubbard

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May 27, 2002, 3:47:21 AM5/27/02
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Why December? Clearly, if the star is big enough, the Academy
will add them to the list even if they die that week. Maybe we should
send something at the beginning of March that goes from the day after
the previous year's Oscar until beginning of March. I would recommend
not adding names they "missed" from the year before; that wouldn't score
us many brownie points, assuming they pay attention to our letter or
e-mail at all.

MattH

Harry Krause

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May 27, 2002, 7:10:20 AM5/27/02
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No one else pays any serious attention to either of you...maybe this is
your chance, eh?

Harry Krause

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May 31, 2002, 6:18:14 AM5/31/02
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Why would the Academy even open a letter from either of you?

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